During construction and maintenance, freeways create snarl-ups that can cause serious damage to motorists and workers. This can lead to accidents, injuries, and loss of life.
One of the major reasons that drivers get frustrated in work zones is that they cannot plan their trips properly. They do not know what travel time or delay they can expect and whether it is safe to take alternate routes.
Real-Time Information
Providing motorists with real-time information about the traffic situation in work zones reduces travel delays and improves safety. Without this information, drivers may suddenly veer off into the work zone or brake, causing accidents.
Using sensors on roadside equipment, the TIPS system calculates estimated travel time between work sites and displays that information on portable electronic changeable message signs. These signs are placed at pre-determined locations along freeways.
Drivers can then use this information to plan their routes. They can then determine whether it is worth the extra time it takes to reach their destination.
In addition to displaying delay messages, dynamic messaging systems can display other information, such as lane closures, speed limits, and other hazards. This information is transmitted to the signs via a radio frequency signal and can be easily updated with new information.
Queue Warning systems alert drivers to upcoming slow or stopped traffic, especially when working in low visibility areas. They also let drivers know the best times to slow down and reroute when approaching a work zone.
These systems typically involve a combination of electronic signs, sensors, and wireless signals that connect the signage to the control system. These systems are used by highway agencies to communicate traffic conditions to motorists and to help prevent crashes.
Another form of smart work zone technology is the Dynamic Merge system, which uses sensors to detect lane closures and automatically direct traffic toward the open lane. This allows drivers to avoid veering into the work zone and injuring workers.
As the transportation industry continues to evolve, new technology is being developed to address the many challenges faced in work zones. These include narrowed rights of way, increased construction activities, and reduced visibility. The goal of these new technologies is to reduce the number of fatalities and injuries in work zones.
Reduced Congestion
Smart work zones provide various benefits to drivers, including reduced congestion, fewer traffic jams, and safer travel. This is because they use sensors and technology to predict and respond to traffic conditions, making it easier for drivers to navigate the area.
These systems can predict travel time and delays, as well as the current speed in a work zone, on a real-time basis. This information can be used to inform motorists, encourage them to take alternate routes, limit their frustration, and increase safety for all road users.
Various technologies can be deployed in a smart work zone, from presence lighting to queue warning systems that alert drivers to slower-than-normal traffic. These devices can be placed along a roadway to reduce congestion, and they may also be integrated with other traffic control equipment, such as signs or cameras.
Another type of system is a dynamic merge, which uses signs to direct motorists to merge when there’s a lane closure. This helps minimize congestion and can be deployed as part of a traditional static messaging system or mobile app.
The system detects when a vehicle approaches a lane closure and directs it to merge early or leave the lanes. It’s an effective way to keep drivers safe and avoid unnecessary accidents, and it’s especially useful for lane-closure projects with low volumes.
Several states have implemented this technology, including Illinois, where it is being used on the Tollway to make the roadway safer for motorists and construction workers. The system has helped the Tollway win the 2020 National Safety Council Green Cross for Safety Award, and it has been praised by State Police District 15 troopers as an effective tool to curb excessive speeding in work zones.
The statewide automated work zone speed enforcement program uses portable, electronic speed timing devices to detect vehicles driving faster than 11 miles over the posted speed limit. The system aims to reduce speeds in work zones, improve driver behavior, and save lives while complementing existing PSP enforcement.
Reduced Collisions
When construction work is underway, drivers often face various challenges and concerns. Among these is that construction can slow traffic flow, leading to congestion and delays. Additionally, drivers may become distracted or forget to check their route before leaving the construction area, increasing their risk of a crash or collision.
A Smart Work Zone system can help reduce these problems by providing real-time information about the construction site and roadway. This can help drivers decide whether to continue their normal or alternate routes.
These systems use a combination of sensors, advanced traffic management technology, and telematics to provide real-time data about the current and future construction areas. They can also alert drivers if road conditions change, allowing them to avoid congestion and delays.
Another system can be installed to notify motorists about changes in the speed limit for a given stretch of roadway, which can reduce sudden braking and accidents. These devices are mounted to temporary work zone signs or permanently-mounted speed-limit trailers with integrated sensors that can adjust the speed to a safe level as construction progresses.
In addition, Smart Work Zone systems can alert drivers when the road is closed so that they can make an informed decision about their travel options and reroute as necessary. The signs can also include comparative alternative routes to indicate how long it will take to get through the work zone.
The results of these studies show that work zone lane closures cause a substantial share of the total road delay in the U.S. This congestion share is especially high during construction and can significantly impact the transportation budget and impede mobility and safety on the road.
To combat this problem, the US DOT has been working to improve mobility and safety by developing new tools to increase awareness of roadway hazards and prevent crashes in work zones. One such tool is a set of guidelines to assist transportation agencies in designing and deploying smart work zone systems. These guidelines, developed by Khaled El-Rayes, the PI on this project, are designed to identify when Smart Work Zones should be deployed and how to design them appropriately for maximum safety and mobility benefits.
Reduced Driver Frustration
Smart Work Zones reduce driver frustration by providing real-time information about travel time, delays, and current speed in a work zone. This can help drivers decide about diverting to another route, avoiding the work zone entirely, or waiting until traffic clears.
Moreover, these systems can provide information about temporary lane closures that could benefit motorists. They can also alert drivers about work zones and other roadway conditions affecting travel.
This helps to ensure the safety of travelers and construction workers while also reducing the number of accidents and delays in work zones. These devices also allow for smoother merging in work zones and give road users the ability to find alternate routes that are quicker and less congested.
A smart work zone system can also be used to track the performance of a particular work zone in terms of the amount of traffic delay, how much it costs, and how many people were involved in the delays. This data can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of various work zone strategies and make improvements where necessary.
For example, the Transportation Information and Projects (TIPS) program of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation is a good example of this strategy. The program uses signs to inform the public about the area’s work zone and encourages drivers to change their routes if possible.
The TIPS program has been evaluated in five States that are part of the Midwest Smart Work Zone Deployment Initiative (Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Wisconsin). It was found that the TIPS system increased the number of motorists who diverted from their normal routes while lowering the total number of delays in the work zone.
In addition, a recent study shows that using portable changeable message signs in work zones can lead to decreased traffic delays and reduced congestion in the area. This can be especially helpful if there is significant queuing.
Smart work zone systems can be combined with other technologies, such as mobile apps, video cameras, and sensors, to provide the most accurate and reliable information about the traffic situation in a work zone. These devices can be custom-designed to meet the specific needs of your work zone.
